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Brief Summary

Hydra-Sports knows fishing, and they know fishermen. Having a large boat that can get out in back in anything is great, but real fisherman know that if you're heading offshore, then you don't want to be stuck fishing for just an hour only to head right back home. The typical run to the northeast canyons takes upwards of 5-6 hours which means you're going to be spending the night there. Thanks to the 3600VX, you'll likely want to spend even longer.

Key Features

Specifications

Length Overall

34' 8'' 10.62 m

Beam

11' 6'' 3.32 m

Dry Weight

16,000 lbs. 7,257 kg

Tested Weight

N/A

Draft

26'' 0.66 m

- Draft Up

N/A

- Draft Down

N/A

- Air Draft

N/A

Deadrise/Transom

23 deg.

Max Headroom

N/A

Bridge Clearance

10' 5'' 3.15 m

Weight Capacity

N/A

Person Capacity

N/A

Fuel Capacity

372 gal. 1,408 L

Water Capacity

40 gal. 151 L

Length on Trailer

N/A

Height on Trailer

N/A

Trailer Weight

N/A

Total Weight(Trailer, Boat, & Engine)

N/A

Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.

Engine Options

To View All Test Numbers

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Captain's Report

Captain's Report by Capt. Steve

With the chines carrying fully forward to form spray rails, and nice wide flared bows, the 3600 VX has all the makings of an outstanding sea boat.

Open Fishing Space…

There is plenty of room on the aft deck for fishing, the 3600VX’s primary mission. Three massive 350-hp Yamaha outboards hang off the stern, which limits you to hauling in the big catch over the sides. Not a big concern as on the starboard side, you can opt for a tuna door and either haul in a monster, or exit the boat with scuba tanks and gear. This also makes dockside boarding much easier than swinging a leg over the wide caprail. The usual fishing amenities are present… a 40-gallon (151.4 L) transom livewell, two 80 qt (75.7 L) fish boxes in the deck, toe rails for that extra hang-on factor, the bait prep centers with running water and, as expected, the now common rumble seat at the stern. Honestly, after seeing how other boats engineer their rumble seats, I'm much more impressed with Hydra-Sports' version. It's easy to deploy by one person and stows away flush to the transom and out of the way when it's time to go to work.

The aft facing seat is a nice touch and there's an option for turning it into a Frigid Rigid fish box. Notice the steps to the foredeck just to port, and behind the open hatch (that is back-gelled) you can see rod storage and the toe-rails. I like how the aft rumble seat remains flush when stowed. Seven rod holders allow for plenty of storage, but these continue all around the boat. Notice the walk-step just ahead of the engines. You won't believe how convenient this small feature is when you do engine checks or regular maintenance. With the rumble seat deployed, you have a comfortable spot for riding out to the grounds. The seat back rises as the seat lowers. The tuna door is optional and it's been completely redesigned, and for the better. This also makes for a great dive door and facilitates easy boarding from the dock. Notice the livewell is painted blue to reduce the shock to your fish, and the rounded corners keep them protected when the going gets rough.

Helm Area

As usual, Hydra-Sports didn’t skimp on the helm. It’s humongous, with enough real estate for dual 12" (30.5 cm) displays and then some, and Hydra-Sports offers options for factory installed C or E class 12" (30.5cm) Raymarine or Garmin widescreens. Full instrumentation is present including digital readouts for engine tachs and speeds, plus trim condition. Dual independent helm seats keep both the driver and observer comfortable, and visibility is great thanks to the curved hardtop supports that also keep from intruding on the side walkway. Inside the console, where I was expecting a head, is a generator/storage room. It’s walk in, with plenty of standup headroom. Vertical rod storage is forward, and the electrical panels are aft. It’s also here that I got to see the underside of the drink holders that surround the console. Guess what? They all had hoses connected to them that allowed any condensate to drain into the bilge. It’s that level of attention to the little details that keeps setting the standard at Hydra-Sports.

Two 12" (30.5 cm) displays, and twin seats with flip-up bolsters are the highlights of the helm. Notice the dual footrests. I'd like to see the compass moved in front of the captain. And check out the aft facing seat. There's an option to make that a Frigid Rigid fish box.

Bow Access

You can get to the bow two ways: One, the center walkthrough - big steps and easy grab rails make the transition from main deck to bow a snap. A low profile windshield is easily stepped over. Secondly, right at the side of the center console is a pair of steps built into the side bulwarks. Once forward you have bow rails that seem to be an afterthought as they're relatively low. A standard windlass will haul in your stainless anchor and 400' (121.9 m) of chain. A hatch to starboard allows you easy access to reach in and deal with any tangles that may occur.

Forward Console Seating

Just ahead of the center console is L-shaped seating. It looks more comfortable than it is, at least if there are more than two people using it. If kept at two, then it is more functional, even allowing one to face aft, down the side of the console. With more than two it gets cramped and knees start knocking. But it is a cool feature and one that I suspect will get a lot of use in the family arena. It’s a great place for the kids to hang and stay sheltered, while still getting fresh air.

The Cabin

It’s hard to believe that this cabin comes from a company run by such die hard anglers, but here it is. A teak and holly sole, Corian countertops, top notch appliances, air conditioning… it’s all here. The usual forward seating and a table convert to a V-berth, and at the aft end of the cabin is a double berth under the deck, just as you would see in an express cruiser. I did a quick count of “sleeps four” and then I caught the small hooks over the forward seats. Ah ha…. Lifting up the seat backs reveal Pullman berths that connect to those overhead hooks. So it’s a “sleeps six”. Very nice. Now to be sure, this V-berth is a narrow sleeping area, at least in the lower berths, and the wives may have a hard time with it. But there is a “good news” trade-off. First, just move mom and dad to the aft berth and leave the four V-sleepers to the kids. Secondly, step off the boat and check out the bow from the showroom floor. That narrow entry reveals a bow that will tame the heavy seas that this boat will typically encounter, and the bow flares wide as it moves up, so by all appearances, this will be a boat that will be nearly impossible to “stuff” while cutting through just about anything. This is just one more item to add to my “test” list, but that, added to the 23-degree deadrise sure takes the edge out of any shortcomings in width from a V-berth perspective.

The forward settee converts to a V-berth easily enough. And if that isn't enough, notice the overhead hook-eyes. They're for lifting the seatbacks up to make Pullman berths. Add the aft cabin and you have a fish-boat that sleeps 6 quite nicely. You won't be cooking a 4-course meal in this galley but you will be able to handle the casual meals, and would you have it any other way? To starboard is the "wet" head and I found it roomy enough for taking a mock shower and… you know. I didn't care for the mirror on the back of the door when closed, but when open a full length mirror fills a definite need when the family is aboard.

Conclusion

For a boat that was made by a fish savvy company the likes of Hydra-Sports, this 3600 VX has the makings of a very family friendly cruising boat that will appeal to a lot of people. And with the Hydra-Sports heritage, it will be around for the long haul too.